AwardSpring vs SmarterSelect Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

AwardSpring

0.0 (0 reviews)

AwardSpring is a cloud-based scholarship management software that simplifies the entire application process by connecting students with funding opportunities through automated matching and streamlined reviewer tools.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

SmarterSelect

0.0 (0 reviews)

SmarterSelect is a specialized application management software designed to help you create, manage, and evaluate online applications for scholarships, grants, awards, and specialized programs with ease.

Starting at $125/mo
Free Trial 0 days

Quick Comparison

Feature AwardSpring SmarterSelect
Website awardspring.com smarterselect.com
Pricing Model Custom Subscription
Starting Price Custom Pricing $125/month
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✓ 0 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas
Integrations Salesforce Ellucian Blackbaud Oracle PeopleSoft Workday Microsoft Azure Canvas Salesforce Blackbaud Stripe PayPal Google Drive Dropbox
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries education non-profit education non-profit government
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2012 2007
Headquarters Chicago, USA Plano, USA

Overview

A

AwardSpring

AwardSpring simplifies the complex world of scholarship management by bringing your entire process into one intuitive cloud-based platform. You can move away from messy spreadsheets and paper applications, replacing them with a streamlined digital workflow that handles everything from initial application to final awarding. The platform automatically matches students to the specific scholarships they qualify for, ensuring no opportunity goes unnoticed while saving your applicants hours of manual searching.

You can manage your reviewers more effectively with centralized scoring tools and automated reminders that keep the evaluation process on track. Whether you are a small foundation or a large university, the software helps you increase applicant engagement and decrease administrative overhead. By centralizing your data, you gain clear visibility into your impact and can generate detailed reports for donors and stakeholders with just a few clicks.

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SmarterSelect

SmarterSelect is a dedicated platform built to simplify how you manage complex application processes. Whether you are running a local scholarship fund, a corporate grant program, or an internal awards ceremony, you can move away from paper forms and messy spreadsheets. You can build custom application forms in minutes using a library of templates and then automate the entire collection process from start to finish.

The software focuses on the three pillars of application management: collecting data, managing reviewers, and selecting winners. You can set up automated messaging to remind applicants of deadlines and provide reviewers with a centralized portal to score submissions. It is designed to scale with your organization, helping you save time on administrative tasks so you can focus on the impact of your programs.

Overview

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AwardSpring Features

  • Smart Matching Connect your students automatically to every scholarship they qualify for based on a single, universal application.
  • Automated Reviewer Portals Give your reviewers a clean interface to score applications and leave feedback from any device at any time.
  • Donor Reporting Generate professional reports instantly to show your donors exactly how their contributions are impacting student lives.
  • Custom Application Builder Create tailored application forms with branching logic to collect the exact data you need from every applicant.
  • Automated Communications Send bulk emails for award notifications, follow-ups, and thank-you note reminders to keep everyone informed automatically.
  • Real-time Analytics Track your application volume and fund distribution through visual dashboards that update as actions happen.
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SmarterSelect Features

  • Form Builder. Create custom application forms quickly with a drag-and-drop interface and access to over 100 pre-built templates.
  • Automated Messaging. Send automated email reminders to applicants and references to ensure all materials are submitted before your deadline.
  • Reviewer Portal. Give your evaluators a private space to view applications and submit scores without sharing sensitive login credentials.
  • Eligibility Rules. Set up qualifying questions that automatically filter out ineligible applicants so you only review the most qualified candidates.
  • Document Uploads. Collect transcripts, photos, and letters of recommendation directly within the platform to keep all your files organized.
  • Reporting Tools. Generate detailed reports on applicant demographics and scoring trends to share insights with your board or stakeholders.

Pricing Comparison

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AwardSpring Pricing

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SmarterSelect Pricing

Create
$125
  • Up to 100 applications per year
  • Unlimited programs
  • Standard email support
  • Basic reporting tools
  • Automated email notifications

Pros & Cons

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AwardSpring

Pros

  • Significantly reduces the time spent on manual data entry
  • Universal application feature increases total student application rates
  • Intuitive interface requires very little training for reviewers
  • Excellent customer support during the initial implementation phase

Cons

  • Initial site configuration can be time-consuming
  • Reporting tools have a slight learning curve
  • Limited customization for certain automated email templates
A

SmarterSelect

Pros

  • Intuitive interface makes form creation fast
  • Automated reminders significantly reduce manual follow-up
  • Reviewer portal simplifies the committee scoring process
  • Excellent customer support during initial setup

Cons

  • Initial configuration can be time-consuming
  • Reporting features have a slight learning curve
  • Pricing may be high for very small funds
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